Andy in Davis Cup 2013

Welcome James. If Andy gets to USO final, and of course we all hope and pray he does, then I can't see him being able to put up a decent performance on clay the other side of the Atlantic a few days later. Indeed, if he defends his title, he'd have to stay in NY for media stuff the next day (Tuesday), so would have about two jet lagged days to practise at best.

Not moaning rob - just pointing out that it may be unrealistic to expect Andy to perform well in DC. Everyone seems to assume that if he takes part, it will be in the bag but I'm not so sure under these conditions.

Traveling across the globe is part of his job. Most other players seem to handle it fine. No one is forcing Andy to play Davis Cup he has committed to it. Just remember Marin Cilic is likely to go deep in the US Open aswell.

Not moaning rob - just pointing out that it may be unrealistic to expect Andy to perform well in DC. Everyone seems to assume that if he takes part, it will be in the bag but I'm not so sure under these conditions.

I agree with you Aileen. I actually think that it might almost be better if he didnt play. If he does play and looses he would be gutted. Also the rest of the team will have time to practise on Clay and you never know what could happen, Cilic wont be "clay" fit either.

I suppose it all hinges on how well Andy does in the USO. If he does get to the final again, and God willing he will, I don't see how he could be ready for the tie in Croatia. It's not, to my mind, about whether he would be expected to play or not, because Leon Smith does seem pretty clued up and sensible about what he expects from Andy. If Andy was the retain the USO title he'd have something like two days of media stuff (he did last year) and then travelling. He'd then surely have to get practice and such in. It would be tough for him to go and give his best, as he would surely wish.

I know it sounds harsh, and there will be people who don't agree, but if Andy does do as we all hope and dream in the USO again I hope he pulls out of the DC tie. I just think, with all due respect, Andy's own career is more important than DC. DC is great, don't get me wrong, but unless we have another strong singles player, one who can perform week in and week out reliably, we aren't going to win it. Andy, on the other hand, is the most successful men's singles player we have, one who has the potential to go down as one of the all time greats of the game by winning a bunch of majors. Maybe, just maybe, it's time he put his own career first when it comes to DC, because he's giving so much in other ways.

I think it's different playing Davis Cup after a slam, than in the lead-up/preparation time for one. If Andy does well at the US Open, he will be knackered and the transition to clay would be tough, but so long as he's fit, I don't think it would do him any harm. The biggest risk is that he'd be tired and not ready for the surface, so could lose to Cilic.

Then again, Cilic isn't a clay court specialist, and will have to make an adjustment too, so his main advantage is probably going to be having less pressure to win, and being less tired.

The Croatians picking clay was almost inevitable, but it's also making me feel a bit more defiant. They are maybe banking on Andy pulling out because of the change of surface, and I wouldn't want to give them the satisfaction. Obviously, I don't want Andy to risk an injury, but I think it would be better for him to risk a loss than to not turn up after saying he would.

Even if he makes the final this year, unless it's a similar epic, I don't expect him to be as physically tired. Remember, last year he struggled with the heat and humidity in the first week because he wasn't properly aclimatised because he'd spent the Summer in rainy London prepping for the Olympics, not in Miami prepping for the American hard-court season. If he does get as far as the final, there's a good chance it will be a less arduous route.

I suppose we'll just have to wait and see. The timing is plainly not ideal, but I'm more worried that expectations are unrealistic, and he won't get the credit he deserves if he wins, and will face unfair criticism if he doesn't.

Whilst venue in Croatia hasn't been officially confirmed yet,certainly looks like it will be in Umag on the clay and only the 2nd tie outdoors.Whilst this doesn't favour Andy not really Cilic's favourite surface either. Obviously timing not ideal but as far as we know Murray still keen to play and as long as Andy is ok physically would like him to be there. Is anyone from here considering going over to Croatia for the tie,myself and a few others I know are interested,DC is a great experience!

Welcome to MW James.

Andy committed himself to playing in this tie long before we played Russia, and he knew that it was going to take place immediately after the USO. He must also have known that GB couldn't go on getting home ties forever and thereby being able to choose a surface which suits him. Andy isn't someone who breaks his promises easily, so if he's fit physically, even if he does get to the USO final, then he'll play. All the other top players have to play DC after the USO anyway, possibly having to cope with jetlag, fatigue, and a change of surface. Why should Andy be any different? The fact that the surface is likely to be clay is a perhaps a little unfortunate given how long it takes him to get used to it, but surely he must have been aware of that possibility when he made his commitment? Also, as been has pointed out, Cilic too will have to adjust.

Let's face it though - if GB lose despite Andy playing, it's no big deal because, without a strong No.2, we aren't ready yet to play in the World Group, and promotion would almost certainly mean him playing both DC ties next year. Andy needs to focus on his career, not constantly propping our DC team up. Our lads showed what they were capable of against Russia, so I'd prefer to see them build on that win by staying in Zone One for at least another year.

I think Croatia might have shot themselves in the foot here. In fact their little ploy might well motivate Andy all the more, not that he needs much motivation for DC ties. Andy has a good psychological advantage over Cilic anyway as their H2H is 8-1, the one blip being the 2009 USO where Andy was well below par and allowed Cilic to dictate the match from the start. The last time they met on clay was at RG the same year where Andy won in straight sets. Also DC ties are best of five, which should give Andy more room to manoeuvre should he get off to a poor start

Also we have a very good, established doubles team in Marray and Fleming. Dodig has fairly good credentials as a doubles player but his usual partner is Brazil's Marcelo Melo; and after what we saw against Russia it isn't beyond the realms of possibility that Ward could beat Dodig, who only managed to reach his first clay SF in Barcelona last year.

I think Croatia might have shot themselves in the foot here. In fact their little ploy might well motivate Andy all the more, not that he needs much motivation for DC ties. Andy has a good psychological advantage over Cilic anyway as their H2H is 8-1, the one blip being the 2009 USO where Andy was well below par and allowed Cilic to dictate the match from the start. The last time they met on clay was at RG the same year where Andy won in straight sets. Also DC ties are best of five, which should give Andy more room to manoeuvre should he get off to a slow start.

Also we have a very good, established doubles team in Marray and Fleming. Dodig has fairly good credentials as a doubles player but his usual partner is Brazil's Marcelo Melo; and after what we saw against Russia it isn't beyond the realms of possibility that Ward could beat Dodig, who only managed to reach his first clay SF in Barcelona last year.